2022 -- H 7103

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LC004018

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF GERALD J. GRANAHAN

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Serpa, C Lima, Costantino,
Azzinaro, Filippi, Kennedy, Fogarty, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Gerald

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Granahan of East Greenwich. Mr. Granahan was the beloved husband of Mary Lou Granahan;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Granahan was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Patrick

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Henry and Helen Granahan. He was a talented and famous singer/songwriter/producer who began

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his distinguished career as a demo singer for Elvis Presley working on the songs "Jailhouse Rock

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and "Teddy Bear". He had earned four Gold Records in the late 1950s before he moved on to

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become one of the most notable record producers of the 1960s with countless successful hits like

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"Click-Clack" by Dicky Doo & the Don'ts, "You Were Mine" by the Fireflies, and "No Chemise,

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Please" under his own name; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Granahan grew into one of the youngest record executives in popular

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music history, beginning at Caprice Records, and later at the major labels United Artists,

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Paramount and Dot, where he produced blockbuster hits for Jay & The Americans and Patty

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Duke. He also produced the original recordings of the famous songs, "If You Gotta Make a Fool

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of Somebody" by James Ray, and "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels. Later in his career, Mr.

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Granahan rose to the position of Vice President of Dot Records and Paramount Records. The

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audio and streaming service Spotify has called him "One of the more influential producers of

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pop/rock on the East Coast." For decades he also performed and entertained countless audiences

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as Dicky Doo and the Don'ts featuring Gerry Granahan; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Mary Lou, Mr. Granahan leaves behind his children,

 

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Gerianne Granahan Genga, and Tara Granahan Keane, and his grandchildren, Jordan Genga, Jade

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Genga, Morgan LeKites, Madison LeKites and Jared Cannone. He was the father of the late

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Thomas Kiernan Granahan, and the brother of the late Joseph Donnelly, Paul Donnelly, Vincent

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Granahan, Anna Granahan, Patrick Granahan, Rosemary Granahan Tischler and Harold

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Granahan; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

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expresses its deepest condolences to the Granahan Family on the passing of Mr. Gerald J.

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Granahan; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Mary Lou Granahan, Gerianne Granahan

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Genga, and Tara Granahan Keane.

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LC004018

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